Advancing science and technology partnerships between Canada and Germany

News release

A senior advisor from the National Research Council starts working in Munich

December 4, 2019 – Munich, Germany – National Research Council of Canada

Today, the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Ambassador of Canada to Germany and Special Envoy to the European Union and Europe, and Mr. Iain Stewart, President of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), announced the deployment of a senior NRC advisor to Germany to support science and technology (S&T) cooperation between research institutes and businesses from both countries. Dr. Jennifer Decker has recently taken up this new position at the Canadian Consulate in Munich.

This deployment, announced in the presence of distinguished guests, including Dr. Florian Herrmann, State Minister of Bavaria, responds to an increasing demand on the part of German research institutes, universities, and private sector stakeholders to intensify their cooperation with Canada. This stems from the NRC’s international engagement strategy, which supports the Government of Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan and its Budget 2018 commitment to supporting Canada’s researchers in building a more innovative economy.

Dr. Decker will be in an excellent position to promote partnerships with German stakeholders in various fields, including aerospace, automotive and surface transportation, metrology, energy, mining and the environment.

Quotes

“I very much welcome the deployment to Munich of a senior advisor by the National Research Council of Canada. Canada and Germany have long been close partners in science and technology, and this cooperation is fundamental to our bilateral relations. As early as 1971, a bilateral S&T agreement was signed – the first of its kind focusing on science and technology. Since then more than 1,000 joint projects have been completed. With a reinforced Canadian S&T team in Germany, our cooperation can only continue to grow."

The Honourable Stéphane Dion 
Ambassador of Canada to Germany and Special Envoy to the European Union and Europe

“Welcome to Munich! I am delighted that the National Research Council of Canada will be placing a senior advisor in Munich. This underlines the excellent reputation that Bavaria has as a location for science, research, and innovation. The NRC is already working successfully with Bavaria, for example, with the Bavarian Research Alliance and the Technical University of Munich. The placement of an NRC representative in Munich is a milestone that will bring new impulses and many more successful Bavarian-Canadian projects in the future.”

Dr. Florian Herrmann
State Minister of Bavaria

"Together, Canada and Germany can advance scientific and technical knowledge, and support innovation and breakthroughs to solve some of the most pressing international challenges. This is a win-win opportunity for the National Research Council of Canada to complement its capabilities and for German partners – academia, business, and government organizations alike – to establish links with the NRC and the Canadian science, research, and innovation ecosystems."

Iain Stewart
President, National Research Council of Canada

Quick facts

  • Canada and Germany enjoy a longstanding cooperation in science and technology. The German‑Canadian Intergovernmental Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation was signed in Bonn on April 16, 1971, by Canada’s then Minister for Trade and Industry, Jean-Luc Pépin, and German Foreign Minister Walter Scheel. The agreement came into effect on June 30, 1971.

  • The NRC has major agreements and memoranda of understanding with German partners such as BayFOR, DLR, RWTH-Aachen, Bayer Pharma AG, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Grünenthal GmbH, and the Technical University of Munich.

  • The NRC is collaborating with the Canadian Embassy in Berlin and the Trade Commissioner Service in Germany to deliver a Canadian artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0 research and development (R&D) partnering mission, to take place from January 19 to 24, 2020, and a Canadian bioeconomy cooperative R&D partnering mission, which will take place from March 2 to 6, 2020, that will trigger new project ideas and partnerships.

Associated links

Contacts

Media Relations
National Research Council of Canada
613-991-1431
1-855-282-1637

media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

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